Williamson hopes to build on McCullum's groundwork

New Zealand would seek to emulate the freedom and aggression that had defined their cricket under Brendon McCullum, new Twenty20 captain Kane Williamson said.

The board has not announced a long-term successor to Brendon McCullum in any format, but Williamson has been handed charge of the T20 side until the end of the World T20 at least. Williamson said his role as "interim" captain was to continue McCullum's work.

"I've been enjoying stepping in for Brendon when he's not around," Williamson said. "We've been playing some good cricket together. What Brendon and Mike Hesson have created over a number of years has been huge for the team. Having the interim role as captain, it's important that you continue the good things we've been doing. That's a focus of mine. There are number of leaders in the team, all of whom need to take some responsibility."

The three-match series against Pakistan, which begins on Friday, shapes as a significant step in New Zealand's route to the World T20. For now, these matches are New Zealand's only T20 internationals before the World T20 in March - though they are in the process of lining up an opposition for a brief series in Dubai, on their way to India. Williamson said his team would be "aware" of the challenges his team would face in India, even if they do not have much opportunity to prepare in Asian conditions.

"Playing in the subcontinent brings a lot of challenges, skills-wise," he said. "Leading the team, there it's important that we are all aware of those. It's important to encourage the side to keep playing with that freedom. It's such a short tournament and things happen so quickly, if you can go into it with momentum and have a fearless approach, then you can make inroads in the tournament. It's a wee-way away, but it's in the back of some of the guys' minds."

Williamson has now established himself at the top of the order in McCullum's absence. He said captaincy would not have a major impact on his batting, which he sees as a "different thing".

"It's important to play to the situation, and that's the focus," he said. "There might be the odd time where the captaincy might come into your mindset when you are looking at certain guys coming in to bat, where there wasn't a particular order. With my batting I'm just going to keep things as simple as I can. The captaincy is of utmost importance off the field and when fielding."

He also bats in a top order with several big-hitters. The second T20 against Sri Lanka was a display of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro's power, while Corey Anderson and Ross Taylor - who come in at nos. 4 and 5 - have also played explosive innings in the past.

"My role is to play my game," Williamson said. "At the moment the, way Guptill's going, I need to adapt to make sure our partnership is doing what the team requires. If guys are playing so well, it's important that you are batting with the guy at the other end - whether that's a role that allows them to play with that freedom, or a role that takes the pressure off them - that will change game to game.

"There's some special ball-striking in this team. With Brendon, who's done it for so many years not being available, it's nice to see some of the other guys step into that role. We've all seen Guptill do it time and time again."

Williamson was also vary of playing too aggressively at Eden Park, where the short boundaries can tempt batsmen to play big shots. That had appeared to be the case in the second T20 against Sri Lanka, who had several batsmen perish attempting to clear the rope.
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"The dimensions are a bit different from your average cricket oval," Williamson said. "They do take a bit of getting used to. Sometimes you can go too hard. That has happened in the past. When you do lose wickets it's harder to take advantage of the smaller boundaries. That's something to consider as a touring side. Also, the crowd - when they get going - it can be extremely loud as well."

Kane is a no-brainer for captain. I was initially against the idea, but he's really the only option. He's one of only a handful of the senior guys who look like they're all-but-guaranteed constant selection (KW, Taylor, BJ, Southee, Boult), and of those guys he's the only specialist batsman who is not Ross Taylor. You don't want a bowler as captain for all kinds of reasons. You don't want your keeper as captain because he already has enough to do (for instance: ABDV). And you don't want a captain who was previously the captain, only to fired and told by the coach "You are not good enough to be captain". That leaves Kane, and only Kane. He also has a fair bit of captaincy experience at youth levels. He's the only choice, and I reckon he'll do well.

Scott
on January 15, 2016, 2:09 GMT

@PQRSTUV So I assume you didn't watch the NZ vs PAK series in UAE which was the last time the kiwi's were in your area.

Because your making a fool of yourself.

Scott
on January 15, 2016, 1:58 GMT

"With my batting I'm just going to keep things as simple as I can. The captaincy is of utmost importance off the field and when fielding."

This is why he will be a brilliant captain.

Alex
on January 14, 2016, 16:18 GMT

Human tendency is that once they have perfect product they have to destroy it. Now NZ wants to destroy kane as batsman by making him captain. DO not appoint your best player as captain unless he always have people around him. A good person can not be leader of men. You have to understand human mind which is actually dirty. Leaders are calculative and understand nuances. Kane is just a good batsman still honing his skills. Guptil probably will do better job than kane. Kane can not rally the troops. Guptil can. Under kane everyone is free. Free people do not do efficient work. They slack off . Whine. You have to put pressure on people in various ways to make them work. Each player needs may be different. Kane is soft spoken guy and probably do not have even have forceful authority in saying things. Because its not his cup of tea.

Alex
on January 13, 2016, 11:34 GMT

His captaincy will be disaster. Thankfully nz has guptil to captain in future.

Utsab
on January 13, 2016, 10:14 GMT

@PQRSTUV Southee has to stay fit long enough to be considered for captaincy. He's not just injured often, but his performance graph is too inconsistent as well. Lately, Milne has found a way to be a tad economical, but he doesn't take enough wickets for a strike bowler. Then, McClenaghan takes wickets, but at an economy which puts paid to any good work he might have done. Guess, Boult is the only guy who keeps a balance between the wicket and run column. Wagner should walk into any NZ XI, coz he's not just potent and consistent, but he never gives up... he's very much like the Pakistani bowlers of 80s and 90s, bending their backs to get a purchase out of flat decks. Brace well too works hard, but lacks creativity. Matt Henry looks a handful, at least in seaming and bouncy conditions, but time will tell whether he can stay fit enough. Even with such a varied and plentiful bowling line up that NZ can boast of right now, it's plain sad that nobody of Shane Bond's mettle came by in so long. He had everything in his armory. Even did well in Indian pitches. Only if he wasn't injured so often.

Shane
on January 13, 2016, 9:14 GMT

@PQRSTUV - I've never considered Southee leadership material, personally. For one thing, he lacks the temperament and is too hot headed at times (even if he has improved this aspect of his play the last few years). Aside from that, they way he suddenly started bowling so much better once McCullum took over from Taylor has always said more about Southee to me than either of the others. There were reports at the time that he was essentially having a tantrum because Taylor would swear or get mad when the team didn't perform, which is frankly pathetic. He's become a very good bowler, but a captain he is not.

Shane
on January 13, 2016, 8:36 GMT

@KIWICRICKETNUT - there are some people out there who bought into the hype during the world cup without really bothering to find out if it was based on reality. These people will never be reasoned with, in all likelihood. #mcgsobig. And of course, you're right. Adapting to foreign conditions is the key.

@pqrstuv, McClean park and Eden park are our only two small grounds the rest are pretty standard by international standards but I don't think we have what anyone would call a large ground, maybe bay oval that looked pretty big, I don't think it's the size of the grounds that trip us up in Asia and Australia its our inability to adapt to the foreign conditions, our batsmen get tied in knots when facing quality spin and while our batters had some good moments in oz our bowlers couldn't adapt and looked pretty toothless, you could argue that it was just the Aussie batsmen who are very formidable at home that made them seem that way and there's some truth to that but not being able to adjust when it didn't swing was just as telling, if we fail at the world cup I don't think it will have much to do with ground dimensions but more to do with the pitch or conditions.

Beau
on January 15, 2016, 4:36 GMT

Kane is a no-brainer for captain. I was initially against the idea, but he's really the only option. He's one of only a handful of the senior guys who look like they're all-but-guaranteed constant selection (KW, Taylor, BJ, Southee, Boult), and of those guys he's the only specialist batsman who is not Ross Taylor. You don't want a bowler as captain for all kinds of reasons. You don't want your keeper as captain because he already has enough to do (for instance: ABDV). And you don't want a captain who was previously the captain, only to fired and told by the coach "You are not good enough to be captain". That leaves Kane, and only Kane. He also has a fair bit of captaincy experience at youth levels. He's the only choice, and I reckon he'll do well.

Scott
on January 15, 2016, 2:09 GMT

@PQRSTUV So I assume you didn't watch the NZ vs PAK series in UAE which was the last time the kiwi's were in your area.

Because your making a fool of yourself.

Scott
on January 15, 2016, 1:58 GMT

"With my batting I'm just going to keep things as simple as I can. The captaincy is of utmost importance off the field and when fielding."

This is why he will be a brilliant captain.

Alex
on January 14, 2016, 16:18 GMT

Human tendency is that once they have perfect product they have to destroy it. Now NZ wants to destroy kane as batsman by making him captain. DO not appoint your best player as captain unless he always have people around him. A good person can not be leader of men. You have to understand human mind which is actually dirty. Leaders are calculative and understand nuances. Kane is just a good batsman still honing his skills. Guptil probably will do better job than kane. Kane can not rally the troops. Guptil can. Under kane everyone is free. Free people do not do efficient work. They slack off . Whine. You have to put pressure on people in various ways to make them work. Each player needs may be different. Kane is soft spoken guy and probably do not have even have forceful authority in saying things. Because its not his cup of tea.

Alex
on January 13, 2016, 11:34 GMT

His captaincy will be disaster. Thankfully nz has guptil to captain in future.

Utsab
on January 13, 2016, 10:14 GMT

@PQRSTUV Southee has to stay fit long enough to be considered for captaincy. He's not just injured often, but his performance graph is too inconsistent as well. Lately, Milne has found a way to be a tad economical, but he doesn't take enough wickets for a strike bowler. Then, McClenaghan takes wickets, but at an economy which puts paid to any good work he might have done. Guess, Boult is the only guy who keeps a balance between the wicket and run column. Wagner should walk into any NZ XI, coz he's not just potent and consistent, but he never gives up... he's very much like the Pakistani bowlers of 80s and 90s, bending their backs to get a purchase out of flat decks. Brace well too works hard, but lacks creativity. Matt Henry looks a handful, at least in seaming and bouncy conditions, but time will tell whether he can stay fit enough. Even with such a varied and plentiful bowling line up that NZ can boast of right now, it's plain sad that nobody of Shane Bond's mettle came by in so long. He had everything in his armory. Even did well in Indian pitches. Only if he wasn't injured so often.

Shane
on January 13, 2016, 9:14 GMT

@PQRSTUV - I've never considered Southee leadership material, personally. For one thing, he lacks the temperament and is too hot headed at times (even if he has improved this aspect of his play the last few years). Aside from that, they way he suddenly started bowling so much better once McCullum took over from Taylor has always said more about Southee to me than either of the others. There were reports at the time that he was essentially having a tantrum because Taylor would swear or get mad when the team didn't perform, which is frankly pathetic. He's become a very good bowler, but a captain he is not.

Shane
on January 13, 2016, 8:36 GMT

@KIWICRICKETNUT - there are some people out there who bought into the hype during the world cup without really bothering to find out if it was based on reality. These people will never be reasoned with, in all likelihood. #mcgsobig. And of course, you're right. Adapting to foreign conditions is the key.

@pqrstuv, McClean park and Eden park are our only two small grounds the rest are pretty standard by international standards but I don't think we have what anyone would call a large ground, maybe bay oval that looked pretty big, I don't think it's the size of the grounds that trip us up in Asia and Australia its our inability to adapt to the foreign conditions, our batsmen get tied in knots when facing quality spin and while our batters had some good moments in oz our bowlers couldn't adapt and looked pretty toothless, you could argue that it was just the Aussie batsmen who are very formidable at home that made them seem that way and there's some truth to that but not being able to adjust when it didn't swing was just as telling, if we fail at the world cup I don't think it will have much to do with ground dimensions but more to do with the pitch or conditions.

Praveen
on January 13, 2016, 8:04 GMT

@Shane oh------How abt Southee captaining in odi's

Shane
on January 13, 2016, 7:56 GMT

@PQRSTUV - then you haven't looked.

Virendra
on January 13, 2016, 7:56 GMT

By any chance are these matches going to be shown live in India?

Shane
on January 13, 2016, 7:48 GMT

I'm still undecided about KW as captain. I know they have been lining him up for years and I'm sure he will do a good job and take it in his stride, as he seems to with everything. But there's a voice inside me saying that, now he has hit the top form we all knew he would, perhaps, it's silly to mess around with things. Granted, though, there aren't too many other options - Taylor as something of an interim is probably the only real one, and it's debatable as to whether he would even want it again. I guess we're a bit stuck, but I'd ideally like to see another two or three years before he takes over. If only Baz could have delayed that retirement by a year or two, I'd feel a lot more comfortable about things.

William
on January 13, 2016, 7:39 GMT

Aussiensw, yeah bro! I 100% feel Aussie quicks bowl out of their skins over there, unbelievable how many genuine quality fast bowlers you seem to produce with world class stats especially when you consider the tracks are on the flat side! Beautiful game with many different conditions is why we all enjoy it I guess, imagine if we all had to play in same conditions every time, I think all non asian teams are looking forward to see what we're all made of over there.

Gary
on January 13, 2016, 7:37 GMT

Have to agree with your comments AussieNSW - and would note that the final test against NZ was played on a track that was anything but flat, how boring would it be if every pitch in the world was the same might as well play on astro

William
on January 13, 2016, 7:29 GMT

Rqrstuv. Nah mate, we will struggle if we play like that how we play here. That goes for any team.. just ask south Africa what happens if you can't adjust your game to turning tracks. Williamson will be key for us and no doubt. He can play in all conditions. Guys who use their feet against spin will be crucial when facing 12 overs of slow stuff. Glad bmac won't be playing because he WILL NOT adjust his game no matter what :)

Praveen
on January 13, 2016, 7:21 GMT

In this current NZ batting line up i don't see any 1 except Kane williamson who can adapt to any conditions and score big consistently..

Utsab
on January 13, 2016, 7:13 GMT

1) Spilt captaincy could be a good experiment, post-McCullum. Taylor was an unremarkable captain, and after the way things turned out, it's unlikely that he'd be considered for the position. By the look of him, Guptill is an unlikely candidate too. It has taken him long to find the consistency that he has today, and I'm sure that the NZ team mgt. wouldn't want to risk it by adding to his duties. I think, age and fitness willing, Grant Elliott could be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Black Caps in ODIs and T20s for now. He's a cool customer and is looking to become a go-to cricketer in those formats. He's experienced too. Hence, captaincy would sit well on him. Williamson can lead in tests. Whoever the next captain in whichever format, Baz is irreplaceable. Williamson's captaincy has shown chinks in the past few series he captained in. With time, he'll mature in the role, I'm sure, but he doesn't seem to be a guy who takes lot of risks or gambles at crunch moments of a game. Baz is a master if that. How I wish he had stayed in for at least 12-18 more months. 2) It's time Jesse Ryder is given a second chance. He's an explosive batsman up front and has a handy knack of rolling his arms. Latham has eased into his opener slot in Tests, but he's not a limited over potential, in my opinion. Ryder could open with Guptill in ODIs and T20s, and Latham can be kept as a back up. And, if he performs regularly, he could be considered for Tests too, given Guptill's awful test records. Who knows, Ryder could even emerge as a captain prospect if his performances stay consistently healthy. The guy can play long innings, has shown signs of playing well in Eng, SA and Aus. The subcontinent could and would be tricky for him. 3) I still firmly believe that Rob Nicol is not washed up. He's a level-headed guy, has proved his mettle in the domestic circuit over the years and should be given a longer run in ODIs and T20s. But, then again, NZ is spoilt for plenty right now. 4)@PQRSTUV, my friend, NZ has played well around the world in the last three years. You can't hold one loss against a superior side against them. Most sixes they hit at the 'stamp size' grounds in NZ are sixes on any other ground around the world. Plus, since when does the size of a ground determine a winner/loser? If anything, it's the pitch that has a say, and NZ has always provided sporting wickets, which have something for everyone. Of course, they have a hint of green, but a reward is there to be earned by players ready to make an effort. The pitches are anything unlike dust bowls in India/SL or flat and placid as is now starting to be the norm in Aus and Eng. So, give credit where it's due.

Praveen
on January 13, 2016, 7:12 GMT

Guys do u think the manner in which NZ play at home can they do it in asia?

Wayne
on January 13, 2016, 6:44 GMT

@Realdealkiwis. Have to agree with all you say about the small grounds. Both sides have to play on them. I think it is exactly the same deal with the batter friendly wickets that we Australians are supposedly getting a reputation for. Both sides have to bat on them. Is this an admission that either the Australian bowling is superior on wickets that don't offer assistance or that the Australian batting is better than the opposition in conditions that should equally suit both line ups? The small grounds can inflate a batsman's stats and the same argument is being used for our wickets where we get tagged as "flat track bullies". I guess you can't have a measured or logical opinion on such matters unless we are all playing on large oz sized grounds with seaming green tops or raging turners according to some. Where do we find those grounds? The individual characteristics of each nation's grounds is part of the whole charm of all forms of cricket. I hope that never changes.

Anver
on January 13, 2016, 6:42 GMT

All the best KW for your new role & wish you will continue the same consistent form with bat... as a neutral fan I love watching your batting.... so keep scoring mate !!

joe
on January 13, 2016, 6:32 GMT

@pqrstuv to base your argument on 1 match is nonsense especially when it was a world cup final and it was more the occasion that got the better of the blackcaps not the ground. Cheers

William
on January 13, 2016, 6:16 GMT

Aussy were too good on the day. That's all. Was over in the first over, mitchell stark was lethal! And I believe the occasion got to our players, oh and I think aus would have done that to whomever they played that day.

Cricinfouser
on January 13, 2016, 6:12 GMT

@PQRSTUV......From the limited knowledge i gained from watching NZ cricket for 13 years..i think you are a bit ill informed about the sizes of NZ grounds....Yes EDEN park is small but the rest are normal sized grounds.There was an ugly rugby stadium(JADE PARK) in Christchurch where NZ used to play pre earthquake,and it was small too but the rest are normal sized grounds like Indian or British ones.Yes they are small when you compare them to MCG or Abu Dhabi but they are by no means stamp sized.And there is a lot more to losing a world cup final than not getting adjusted to bigger ground dimensions...like home support...pitch conditions..playing your first WC final and the pressures coming with it and going up against the best team of the tournament.

Priyadarshan
on January 13, 2016, 6:09 GMT

@Batter-Up Becoz he was Under 19 captain and has done well , in case if it does not work out there Taylor or Guptil

Praveen
on January 13, 2016, 5:56 GMT

@Realdealkiwis-----Wat happened to their hitting capabilities at MCG? Why no 15+ sixes or 200+ individual scores or 100/0 in 5overs?

AJ
on January 13, 2016, 5:51 GMT

I think the Kiwis are better off with him not as captain. Let the man bat. He's gaining fans around the world because he's world class and that's extremely rare for a NZ'r. Why risk it affecting his batting?

William
on January 13, 2016, 5:41 GMT

Pqrstuv, You sound like a real thinker. What do you base this profound statement on? Do you actually think nz has an advantage on a small ground? Last time I watched a game, both teams played on the same park... oh and I think they may have even played on the pitchy thingy also. I think we produce some of the biggest power hitters in the game because they have been because we have smaller grounds.. Martin guptil, b mac. Cory Anderson, Chris cairns to name a few. and a few new boys which we will be talking about in the near future to name a few like Colin monroe. Are you telling me those players can't hit a six at the mcg umm 100m 6 is a 100m 6 no matter where you hit the thing.

Praveen
on January 13, 2016, 5:34 GMT

@wat a game-- Go back to wc2015 no team looked like getting close to beat NZ in nz.But everyone knew NZ gonna lose in the final at MCG.

Pete
on January 13, 2016, 5:10 GMT

@PQRSTUV - Where have you been in the last 2 year? NZ have been winning all over the world in the last 2 years! To say they can't win outside NZ's smaller grounds very much shows you haven't been following cricket - or at least NZ for a very long time.

Sarang
on January 13, 2016, 5:01 GMT

If I was a NZ selector, I wouldn't burden the best batsman of my team (and in the World) with captaincy. Probably Taylor.

If I was a NZ selector, I wouldn't burden the best batsman of my team (and in the World) with captaincy. Probably Taylor.

Pete
on January 13, 2016, 5:10 GMT

@PQRSTUV - Where have you been in the last 2 year? NZ have been winning all over the world in the last 2 years! To say they can't win outside NZ's smaller grounds very much shows you haven't been following cricket - or at least NZ for a very long time.

Praveen
on January 13, 2016, 5:34 GMT

@wat a game-- Go back to wc2015 no team looked like getting close to beat NZ in nz.But everyone knew NZ gonna lose in the final at MCG.

William
on January 13, 2016, 5:41 GMT

Pqrstuv, You sound like a real thinker. What do you base this profound statement on? Do you actually think nz has an advantage on a small ground? Last time I watched a game, both teams played on the same park... oh and I think they may have even played on the pitchy thingy also. I think we produce some of the biggest power hitters in the game because they have been because we have smaller grounds.. Martin guptil, b mac. Cory Anderson, Chris cairns to name a few. and a few new boys which we will be talking about in the near future to name a few like Colin monroe. Are you telling me those players can't hit a six at the mcg umm 100m 6 is a 100m 6 no matter where you hit the thing.

AJ
on January 13, 2016, 5:51 GMT

I think the Kiwis are better off with him not as captain. Let the man bat. He's gaining fans around the world because he's world class and that's extremely rare for a NZ'r. Why risk it affecting his batting?

Praveen
on January 13, 2016, 5:56 GMT

@Realdealkiwis-----Wat happened to their hitting capabilities at MCG? Why no 15+ sixes or 200+ individual scores or 100/0 in 5overs?

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